Destructive Fires.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 445, 20 July 1850, Page 2

Destructive Fires.

We regret to state that a calamitous fire occurred on Tuesday night, or rather Wednesday morning, by which a considerable amount of property was destroyed. It broke out about half past one o'clock at Mr. Johnson's "Windsor Castle Inn," on Mechanics' Bay Hill. It was first discovered by a man sleeping in the upper part of the house, who awoke under the almost suffocating influence of the smoke. The fire commenced in the kitchen, and is supposed to have been spread by some woodwork used in the construction of the chimney. When it was discovered, efforts were made by the inhabitants of the house and some of the neighbours to extinguish the flames, by pouring water over the roof, bnt the devouring element pursued its course. Every exeition was now made to remove the store of spirits from the bar, which was happily accomplished. Attention was next turned to the saving of the furniture, which, in a great degree, was also effected. Just then, the summons of the Fire Bugle was heard, and the majority of the officers and other gentlemen at Colonel Wynyarr's Fancy Ball hastened to the scene. The G-overnor-in-Chief himself was prompt in coming to the spot, and watchful and energetic in giving directions befitting the emergency. Lieutenant Colonels Wynyard and Bolton and Captains Nugent and La ye, as well as tho other officers of the 58th regt., and Mr, Beckham, Commissioner of

Police, were all rendering every aid in their power. Happily no serious accidents occurred during the burning. Nothing could arrest the progress of the fire, however, but the destruction of the " Windsor Castle," and the adjoining house belonging to Mr. P. W. Bagnell, In this house, Dr. Courtena-s: and his lady were temporarily lodging, awaiting the sailing of the Clara for London ; we are happy to state that they were enabled to save their property, and to find for themselves such a hospitable and friendly shelter as they were sure to meet with in the house occupied by Mr. Young and Mr. Woot>house. We wish there were no drawback to the commendation which the generous endeavours of the neighbours generally merit •, but, we are sorry to say, some heartless ruffians availed themselves of the opportunity to break into casks of wine and gin, the contents of which, we are informed, they carried off in buckets. [ The police and other parties present being en • gaged at other spots, they succeeded in accomplishing this nefarious object to some extent. The value of the property destroyed by the fire has been variously estimated ; but we were assured yesterday by a person likely to know the real state of the case, (and we give the statement just as it was made to us), that the amount of the loss incurred by Messrs. Johnson and B\gn ell conjointly is not less than £1,200. Another fire occurred yesterday morning in the same vicinity, by which the raupo house lately occupied by Mr. W. Corbett, has been destroyed The casuality is supposed to have originated in the kindling of a very large fire by some natives employed by a gentleman to whom Mr. IVJeuarnt, the owner, had let the house.

Auckland Mechanics' Institute. — Mr. T. S. Forsaith's second and concluding lecture on " Oliver Cromwell and his Times," (which, as we mentioned in our last, was postponed from Monday on account of the inclemency of the weather), was delivered last evening in the Hall of the Institute. The Lecturer dwelt in some detail on the course of events which led to the ruin of the infatuated and unfortunate Charles 1., and the elevation of Cromwell to the Protectorate ; and adduced various evidences that, whatever may have been Oliver's faults or failings, they had their origin rather in the spirit of the age in which his lot was cast, and in temporary errors of his usually clear and comprehensive judgment, than in any depravity of heart, or any such deliberate and consummate hypocrisy as that which has been, so recklessly charged upon him. At the same time, the Lecturer judiciously acknowledged that some paits of Cromwell's conduct—especially the cruelties practised in Ireland under his authority, and the shaie which he took in the condemnation and execution of the unhappy King, — could only be extenuated, not defended by this plea. Numerous well chosen and well read extracts from the standard histories of Carlyle and Macaulay were effectively dovetailed with the original matter ; and the lecture, although the delivery of it occupied about two hours and a quarter, was heard with unabated interest to the close, by an audience which (notwithstanding the continued unfavourable state of the weather), was numerous and respectable. It will be seen by our advertising columns, that another Lecture, on a widely different subject, is appointed for Monday evening next.